Wednesday, May 08, 2013 12:46:30 PMIceland also refused to pay back all the money it owed and has never been anything other than a bit-player on the global stage, the same could be said about all 3 of these countries actually.

Actually, it's just you doing the chanting. Most of the World thinks that Obama is the best thing that has happened to the U.S. Finally, someone who cares about the people.

Now, if you right wing guys can step out of the way and stop hindering Obama at every turn, he can finally fix your terribly broken country and make it into one of the greatest countries in the World (a claim you often make but are so far away from being).

Wednesday, May 08, 2013 6:44:06 AMRe: Finnish schools, here are some more facts:

1) Individual schools have curriculum autonomy; individual teachers have classroom autonomy. (no central government meddling) 2) All teachers are required to have a master's degree. 3) A much higher percentage of Finland's educational budget goes directly into the classroom than it does in the US, as administrators make approximately the same salary as teachers.

Similar to private schools here. It's not just about the money, it's about separation of school and state. And demand for excellence in the teachers rather than union-based mediocrity. We need to end the public school system and give everyone vouchers so that the successful private school system can flourish.

Wednesday, May 08, 2013 3:06:47 AMchalket: that doesn't surprise me in the least, i've noticed a lot of folks in the nation tend to ignore what they dont like to hear, which is why i suspect the change will come from outside the nation, rather than within. I'm just bringing it to the open so people can be aware. Might also want to be aware that most of the world sees the nation as ajoke, with people talking of how free they are, but how it's basically on the road to a police state.

It's a sad situation for that nation, and even more so for its people. I hope they can make the necessary changes in the nation before foreign powers do. It's a pretty steep uphill battle for the entire nation though, because of the pride and the greed. (yeah it's everywhere, but glorified there).

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 7:04:29 PMY'know, Smiley, I really DO hear that chant a lot. BUT IT'S ALWAYS COMING FROM YOU! I have yet to hear it from anyone else, despite your claims that "every day it's chanted more and more..."

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 5:08:00 PMBut i suspect that the change will come from outside the borders of that country. After all, it is a lot of people to coordinate, and the world is chanting against it's presidency... "DEATH TO THE PRESIDENCY!! DEATH TO THE PRESIDENCY!! DEATH TO THE PRESIDENCY!! DEATH TO THE PRESIDENCY!! DEATH TO THE PRESIDENCY!! ..." every day it's chanted more and more...

It wouldn't surprise me if when its decay comes to full, that the enemies of the nation come in full force.

It is sad that the people can rally when disaster strikes, and work to help one another.. but can't get themselves together to divert or soften an impending fall.

I just hope that the ones in control of that nation will be reach out for help from the ones who know how to help, before the ones who would destroy come to destroy.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 5:01:04 PMRevolution is the only thing that could be done by the people at this point.. and even that is being stiffed, and in fact, may not be possible anymore. It would take an immense immobilization of all the people in the entire country for it to succeed. with a clear goal: no violence, just take back our country. Granted there will be people who will just want to be violent, and who will be against it and try to stop it. So regular citizens for this movement would have to act as peace officers (lots of them, like 20 per violent person), to ensure that they aren't being violent, adn if they are, they're sent home. A lot of people are afraid when huge numbers of people are stopping them. It would have to be coordinated, swift, quick. Get in to the halls of power, peacefully usher out those who hold power, and nullify their positions. Immediately after there would need to be order with a goal of rebuilding the country. It can be done.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 3:24:36 PMA revolution is more likely to happen before total collapse, there are no chance of it happen totally with out bloodshed but a fairly civilized one is the probable option Total military power is wayyy too large to guess what will actually happen, it's truly unknown as no nation has existed with such a huge military power in the entire history of mankind, a nation that is capable of striking anywhere and with full power, can destroy any nation on earth..

So fairly civilized revolution or total global meltdown, not very attractive options no matter where you live. And you wonder why we mock you, constructively, trying to get some reason. Europe likes USA, we have no ill towards you. Nor are we willing to support every hairbrained world domination scheme (UK is the exception here)

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 3:11:59 PMOne thing very different between our countries. Finland did not try to get those top ranking positions, We tried to aim for the average, in the middle. Not too good not too bad. This all came as a surprise to us, we thought we had stuff to improve to even keep up. It's been very good for moral around here, finally we can keep our heads up.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 3:08:13 PMTuesday, May 7, 2013 2:48:59 PM America is simply following the exact same pattern every civilization in recorded history has Caper454 "followed. Rapid expansion followed by decline and then decay. At some point America will be invaded and relegated to the history books. Remember what they say about those who fail to learn from history."

Unfortunately, as an American I do agree with you.. This country has not learned from the past. Our political leaders let the big businesses dictate to them what ought to be done, and our leaders are signing away all of the rights and privileges that millions have died for since this country was first founded. I love my country, it is my home, but I'm not proud of it.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 3:01:15 PMcaper454 " there is nothing new under the sun" no matter how much you study history. History continuosly repeat herself. All empires are in the decline in the exact same time they born.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 2:49:45 PMUS immigration issue is not the same, we don't have Russians jumping border or Swedes trying to get in. Why US immigration is an issue now is more to do with absolute horrible exploitation and control of Mexico and South America that's now blowing up to your faces. I can't say i'm sorry about that, all i'm sorry is that the situation is salvageable: truly helping the poor nations right next to your superpower would make a totally different kind of "buffer-zone", US could have the whole American continent in couple of centuries, immigrants returning to home, prosperity, happiness, progress, freedom...

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 2:49:00 PMAmerica is simply following the exact same pattern every civilization in recorded history has followed. Rapid expansion followed by decline and then decay. At some point America will be invaded and relegated to the history books. Remember what they say about those who fail to learn from history.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 2:45:38 PMPredominantly white, immigration is strict, that is true. We are only 5 million citizens, we can only take what we can feed and educate. Another alternative is to bring more and not give proper chances, they'd be stuck in some halfway camp, fed and warm but lacking basic education (that all sounds very 4rd reich so that's not an option here), one option is to try to blend the refugees to population quickly causing mass unemployment and racial segregation, slums, inequality.

Better to keep a well functioning society. It's all the time changing in to multi-cultural society, as a student 1/4 of my peers talk another language. Plus immigrants are very very keen on education, they get a profession, they can help their families back home and bring them here too eventually.

It's slow process, hindered by a certain right wing populist party trying to sabotage things "US style" to have it their way.. We are figthing back.